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Galley Tables

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A memorial service was held Monday
afternoon for a long-time and highly respected member of the Kodiak community.
Hundreds of people packed the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium to bid final farewell
to Dave Woodruff, who passed away at the age of 67 on April 6th, after a bout
with cancer.

Woodruff
first came to Kodiak in 1978 and co-founded Alaska Fresh Seafoods, which he
continued to operate until his death. During his years in Kodiak, he served on
committees including the Kodiak Shellfish Study Group, the Kodiak Seafood
Processors Association, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and the North
Pacific Fisheries Management Council Advisory Panel. He also served several
terms on the Kodiak City Council for a total of 14 years.

After an introduction by Jeff Stephan,
who described Woodruff as a hardworking, focused, but fun-loving guy, who
always had to keep busy, City Mayor Carolyn Floyd issued a proclamation
honoring Woodruff for his years of service to the Kodiak community. Woodruff's
wife of the past seven years, Barbara, then spoke.

--(Woodruff 127 sec."He once said to me ...absolutely astounding to me.")

Friends,
family and colleagues in attendance at the service were invited to share their
memories or pay tribute to a man so many people had come to love and respect. Long-time
friend and business partner John Hall was the first to speak.

--(Woodruff 218 sec."Always good cheer ...how tough he was.")

Bob
Lochman, who first met Woodruff in Dutch
Harbor in 1966, and whose
wife, Roberta, worked as Woodruff's office manager, said he became especially
close when Woodruff's first wife Cindy passed away. The two later became
partners in a small fishing vessel. Lochman is grateful for the support
Woodruff provided his family when he had to be away.

--(Woodruff 323 sec."There was a period of ...all those kind of things.")

Jeremiah
Myers of the Lions Club said he first met Woodruff, who was also a Lion, in 1982.
Myers said Woodruff received the organization's highest honor, the Melvin Jones
Award, eight years ago.

--(Woodruff 423 sec."We save that award ...and we'll miss him.")

Joe Floyd first
met Woodruff in the late 1960s, when he was starting his now annual Christmas
tournament. The two have remained friends ever since.

The service ended
with a standing ovation for Woodruff as images of his life in Kodiak were shown
on the auditorium's video screen. The service was followed by a reception in
the Kodiak High School commons. Woodruff is
survived by his wife, son, daughter, step-daughter, two brothers, two
grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. I'm Erik Wander.